Bio Blogging at EHS

COURSE REQUIREMENTS & EXPECTATIONS 2007-2008

Mrs. Cynthia McIntyre
Room S204
cmcintyre@everettsd.org
(425)385-4588
Best time to call:
Before 7 am;
between 8:49 – 9:30 am or after 2:00 PM

Course Description:

This is a full-year course where students will use laboratory explorations, simulations, modeling and experimentation to explore how the concepts of biology (the study of life!) apply to their everyday life.

Students are expected to demonstrate their learning through written work, laboratory reports, use of charts & graphs, analysis of data, oral presentations, independent reports/projects, and various forms of tests and quizzes.

Student Learning Standards:

1. Understand that all living processes are interconnected.
2. Understand how structure is related to function.
3. Explain how life processes provide for continuity and change in living systems.
4. Provide evidence and data to communicate understanding of scientific concepts.
5. Safely conduct scientific investigations using proper tools, equipment and measuring techniques.
6. Successfully write lab reports to standard, using scientific format.
7. Research, interpret and defend scientific investigations and arguments, using data, logic and analytical thinking.

Supplies:
You will need the following supplies for this course. Bring them to class every day.
 Textbook: BSCS Biology – A Human Approach (provided)
 Bound Composition Notebook
 #2 Pencils
 Blue or Black pen
 Colored pencils
 Metric ruler
 Clear tape.

How to Succeed in Biology:

 Get enough sleep! Come to class on time and well-rested. It makes a difference.
 Keep an organized journal! Be sure to keep all papers, tests, quizzes and labs until the end of the semester. They are great study tools!
 Come to class prepared with all assignments completed on time showing your best work.
 Participate daily in classroom collaborative group and class activities and discussions.
 Ask lots of clarifying questions during class.
 Keep up with homework and other assignments.
 Study your notes and assignments before taking tests and quizzes. It really helps.
 If you start to feel behind or confused, ask to schedule assistance with me immediately. Don’t wait and become frustrated and overwhelmed!
Class Expectations:

 Respect teachers, other students and school property. Behavior that interferes with my ability to teach or your classmates’ ability to learn will not be tolerated and appropriate action will be taken. No one has the right to deprive another student of his or her education.

 Students are expected to be in their seats and ready to work when the bell rings. Otherwise, you will be marked tardy. Three tardies will result in a letter home and five tardies will result in you earning a 55 minute after school detention in the teachers classroom.

 Water in clear bottles is allowed in class but not during lab activities.
All other beverages and food are prohibited in this classroom and in the science building.

 All electronic devices will be turned off and removed from your desk when the bell rings. Electronic devices must be turned off and out of sight at all times. If a disruption occurs, the item will be confiscated.

 Appropriate clothing must be worn at all times. Hats, hoods and caps are not permitted.

 Become a responsible self-directed learner!

Laboratory Safety:

All students and parents or guardians must read, sign and return the “Flinn Scientific’s Student Safety Contract” in order to participate in laboratory activities.

Science classes involve the use of laboratory facilities and often expensive equipment. Lab equipment must be handled with care at all times. If you break lab equipment intentionally or due to carelessness, you will be charged the replacement cost. Labs permit greater student freedom and responsibility. This should not be abused.

Abuse of lab privileges will result in:

1. Minor abuse = One warning (first lab only), then removal from lab and no credit earned on assignment.

2. Abuse other than minor, or repeated abuse = removal from lab, no credit earned, alternative assignment given or referral to administrator.

Pre-lab work is assigned not only for your knowledge, but also to promote safety.
If you are not prepared you are a safety hazard. So… No Pre-Lab Work = NO LAB!!!

Attendance Policy:

Student attendance is related to the Essential Learning Goals of this course. Participation in daily collaborative activities, labs and class discussions help students gain a better understanding of the concepts being studied. If students are absent or tardy to class they will not be able to benefit from these. Tardiness and absences therefore could be reflected in the students’ overall preparedness for formative and summative assessments and/or standardized tests. Parents/guardians should write a note to the Attendance Office within 48 hours to excuse an absence. The note should include: 1) Student name, 2) student ID number, 3) date(s) of absence(s), 4) phone number where note can be verified, 5) reason and 6) signature of parent/guardian.
KNOW the EHS ATTENDANCE POLICY.
Always check it for every absence to be sure you are complying with updated rules and regulations.

If you know ahead of time that you will be absent (school-related, vacation, surgery, etc.) on the day of a test or when an assignment is due, it is your responsibility before you leave to make arrangements to take the test early, turn in the assignment early, or have someone turn in your assignment for you on the day due.

Tardiness is disruptive to the class, and is not tolerated kindly. A student is considered tardy if he/she is not in their seat when the bell rings to begin class. Tardiness will result in 50 minutes of detention for every three offenses.

Class Work Policy:

Homework will be assigned 3-4 nights per week. All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Homework May be turned in one day late for half credit, no points may be earned after that. Late laboratory work is accepted up to one week late. After one week, the lab work does not earn points. All required assignments must be completed whether points are received or not in order to get credit for the course.

There are many assignments that are required to be completed and turned in for the student to receive credit for this course, even if the student’s overall grade is a passing one. Lab reports and summative assessment papers are examples. If any one or more of these assignments are missing, incomplete or not at the standard required the student will NOT receive credit for the course. Those students will receive an “NC” (No Credit) grade.
Make-Up Work:

You are responsible for obtaining make-up work after an absence. Tests, videos and labs requiring teacher set-up time can be made up after school or before school by appointment ONLY if the absence is excused. A parent note is preferable to a phone call. Tests must be made up within two days of your return. Failure to do so will result in a zero grade for that test.

Quizzes cannot be made up. Students with an excused absence will be excused from the quiz.

Any assignment or test missed due to an unexcused absence cannot be made up for points.

Grading:

Grading Scale
Percentage Grade
94.0 – 100 A
91.0 – 93.9 A-
87.0 – 89.9 B+
83.1 – 86.9 B
81.0 – 83.0 B-
77.0 – 79.9 C+
74.1 – 76.9 C
71.0 – 73.9 C-
68.0 – 69.9 D+
61.0 – 67.9 D
00.0 – 60.9 F

There is a comprehensive final exam at the end of each semester.
This exam must be taken and receive a passing grade (≥ 61%) in order to earn credit for the course.

A student’s overall grade must meet the standard of 61% or higher to receive credit for this course. Failure to meet this standard would require a student to repeat the course.

If a student earns an “NC” (No Credit) grade, they may request a parent-student-teacher-counselor conference to see if a contract to retrieve the credit is possible, under the particular circumstances, for the course. This request must be made by E-mail or phone call within two weeks of receiving their grades.

Grades will be posted and regularly updated on-line. The Web address is: http://ims.everett.k12.wa.us
Remember to Check Your Grades ON-LINE at least once weekly.

Parents/Guardians are also encouraged to check student grades at:
http://ims.everett.k12.wa.us/parents/ as often as possible to check on their students’ progress.